Thoughts for Life: GOD'S REST AND RENEWAL

Melissa Meek- "Searching for answers and God can be a weary task, especially when we are already carrying sin, oppression, and doubt. But I had to accept and believe this so I could move on. When the time came to give it all to God, I rested on my knees and surrendered to His strength.

Many don't realize how difficult carrying extra weitht is for our bodies. The same holds for our hearts and minds. The weight slowly robe us of our freedom to be a child of God. (Mountains and sunset)

COVID-19 brought a sense of relief for many as it curtailed all the outside-of-home activities and to-dos, giving us permission to stay home. It was nice to just “be,” to rest from the running and be still physically. For many, it brought a time of spiritual rest too.

For me, it brought me back to God and to the life and purpose He had chosen for me. I couldn’t be a servant without strength. And the physical and spiritual rest did the trick.

Think of a heavy yoke that you need to give to God."

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and JancickaL)

Let's pray-

Father, we've searched for answers, especially when we've dealt with our sins. Help us rest in the Attonement that Christ provided for humanity, and to give our everything into His care, as we surrender to His strength. May we sense the freedom from carrying the extra weight of it, and receive the robe of righteousness in becoming children of Yours.
With COVID- 19, we had a sense of relief in its curtailing all the outside-of-home activities and obligations. It gave us permission to stay home and rest from the running around we normally did. For many, it gave a time of spiritual rest too.

For Melissa, it brought her back to You and to the life and purpose You had chosen for her. Lets think of a heavy yoke that we need to give to You, Father, releasing it into Your Hands in and through our Lord Jesus for our good and Your glory! Amen.

#60 Quote- M.J. from Joyce Meyer's book, (pg. 110)

HOW TO AGE WITHOUT GETTING OLD

"I have less stamina now than I once had.

In a way, this is a great thing.

It's made me more gracious and kind to myself.

I've also become better at setting boundaries,

but softer and gentler at communicating them

and saying no when needed.

Best of all I'm comfortable with the reality that sometimes

I just need an afternoon nap.

The daily afternoon quiet times my mom insisted on

when I was a child have circled back around to becoming,

at long last, treasured gifts."

1326-1330 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1326- Job 36:26a " Behold, God is great."

1327- Pro. 3:32b "His secret is with the righteous."

1328- Ps. 103:22 "Bless ye the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion:

bless the LORD, O my soul."

1329- Ps. 140:13a "Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name."

1330- Ps. 89:1 "I will sing of the meries of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will

I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."

#60 Hymn- Jesus Shall Reign

Isaac Watts devoted himself to a massive project, adapting the Book of Psalms for Christian worship. He worked his way through most of the 150 Psalms, paraphrasing them with New Testament truth, and framing them in singing form.

Several of these have become favorites that have withstood the ages. His rendition of Psalm 72, for example, has been called the first missions hymn: Jesus Shall Reign Where'er The Sun." (The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 37)

Church note: A life-changing alteration is to sing to the Lord a new song, stiring ourselves up, to keep us from complainig about life's problems. God will supply His wisdom, if asked! Let's come against the sin of complaining with songs of praise!

Some encouraging words-

If you don't know Christ as your Savior, there is no solution to depend on apart from Him. You don't need more of Him — you need Him! You need a relationship with the One who made you, loves you and died for you. He's actually what you've been wanting all along; the only One that can staisfy your deepest longing of your heart.

Upcoming posts:

16th- WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST- (First half) Joyce Meyers

23rd- LIFT UP THE WORD, LIGHT UP THE WORLD- Kathy Bronzell

30th- PUTTING ON HUMITY- Katara Patton